Archive for June, 2010

Fenton remarks that he and others were “imprisoned not for breaking the law but for disagreeing with the police.” Ghomeshi echoes this, saying: “we were criminalized for our activism. We should be encouraged to demonstrate peacefully.” She’s ready to talk about what she experienced, and lays out a challenge for her fellow Torontonians, and for people across the country: “Are we going to stay silent and condone this? I know what we”—those in the room on Sunday night—”will do, but what will Canadians do?”

Even if I agree (and obviously I don’t) to the police’s justifications of their deplorable and illegal actions over the weekend, it’s even more disgusting that they couldn’t even give these people blankets, medicine, more than a few cheese buns, more than a couple of dixie cups of water, and the list goes on. We know the budget they got for security measures. Where is the money?

The cases of Leah Henderson, Amanda Hiscocks, Peter Hopperton and Alex Hundert, among the 14 accused of being associates of the Southern Ontario Anarchist Resistance or S.O.A.R, were put over to July 6.

Howard Morton, lawyer for three of the 14, objected when matters were delayed because, he charged, too few justices of the peace were made available by the judiciary.

Speaking about family members of the accused who had come to bail out his three clients but were sent home two days running because of delays, he said: “This is their first exposure to the criminal justice system and they don’t like what they see. “

In light of the recent events surrounding the G20 protests, I’d like to review a tiny bit of history and then share some commentary.

June 26, 1945 was a historic moment for the world – the United Nations (UN) was created. After suffering through two world wars, the UN was created for the purpose of preventing the possibility of a third world war. Then, on December 10, 1948, the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). In Canada, in 1982 under the leadership of then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, a legacy was given to all of Canada – the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (CCRF). The CCRF was written in the same spirit as the UN UDHR and provides for essentially the same human rights.

I would like to direct attention to the “fundamental freedoms” given in section 2 of the CCRF (I also note the correlating Articles from the UDHR in brackets). Section 2 reads:

“Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
(a) freedom of conscience and religion [Article 18];
(b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication [Articles 18 and 19];
(c) freedom of peaceful assembly [Article 20]; and
(d) freedom of association. [Article 20]”

I note here that Section 2 applies to “everyone”, not just to Canadians. Also, since these same rights are found in the UDHR and Canada is a party state to the UN and thereby, also the UDHR, Canada must apply these rights to everyone regardless of citizenship or nationality.

I particularly note this because of the very nasty sentiment some people have expressed over the weekend – that is, simply because some protesters over the weekend may not have been Canadians or from Toronto, they did not have the right to come to Toronto to protest the G20. I find that kind of sentiment repulsive, offensive, and not very humanitarian. It is quite contrary to the spirit of the UDHR and the CCRF, which contain ideals many Canadians are proud of. These same Canadians who express this nasty sentiment of “it isn’t your streets, go home” (as if it was even a smart comeback to “Whose streets? Our streets!”; and I feel I should point out that the peaceful protesters were chanting that, not the vandals – just responding to someone’s remark that “They’re my streets too, stop destroying them!”, never mind that the damage is not as bad as people imagined) are also the very same Canadians who don’t wish to lose their rights and freedoms. Oh, I am quite aware that many Canadians here were scared over the weekend and stayed home, well away from the protests (and as it turned out, it wasn’t the protesters you had to be afraid of, it was the police – the vandals as far as we can tell did not hurt anyone as other civilians weren’t their targets), but simply because these people chose to NOT exercise their rights and freedoms as given in the CCRF, does not mean their rights were taken away. Rather, they enjoyed the privilege of staying home watching other people have their rights trampled upon by the police all the meanwhile exercising their rights to freedom of expression by complaining online about the protests (if you don’t want human rights for everyone, then go live in China) and how badly it ruined their weekend and so on. For the record, it ruined my weekend too. I was hoping nothing bad would happen because of the G20, and was hoping to relax by playing Final Fantasy 7 and maybe going running, but I do not blame the protesters for exercising their fundamental rights and their human rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The few who weren’t peaceful should not outweigh the efforts of 25,000 peaceful protesters. It was the police broke the law this past weekend (see the section on “legal rights” in the CCRF, many of which are also covered in the UDHR) and instigated (and engaged in) a lot of the violence that occurred. What the police did was unconstitutional and is a human rights violation. It is also morally reprehensible considering thousands of civilians put their trust in the police to protect the people, not the rich, elite behind the big fence having their outrageously extravagant big party (oh, sorry… G20 Summit). But getting back to to Section 2 of the CCRF, it applies to everyone regardless of citizenship or nationality.

Furthermore, citizenship and nationality is a disputable topic to some. In this day, when we have instant communication to anywhere around the world due to the internet and computer technology, nationality to me seems to be a dying concept. Arguably, it is a useless concept and can contribute to sentiments like those noted above. It is also interesting to note that some of those sentiments come from people who may not have been born in Canada. Now, if I thought like these people and wanted to be as unenlightened as them (and being upset about your weekend being spoiled is no excuse because like I said my weekend was disrupted too, but what went on this past weekend was much more important than my weekend being spoiled), I might say to them “bug off, you go home, you weren’t born here, I was” (because I was born here), but of course I don’t because I just don’t feel as territorial as others (Mother Earth, Gaia, is for everyone). Recently, I have started to consider that nationality often separates one group from all others. Nationality is often used to develop a cohesive bond amongst a group of people so that together they can get a sense of who and what they are – it gives them a sense of community, and often it creates patriotism. However, at the same time, this sense of nationality and also patriotism contributes to the “us versus them” mentality – a mentality that needs to disappear for the sake of all humanity if we are ever to achieve world peace. Yes, world peace. That is what these protesters ultimately want, but unfortunately we have to fight for that because there are others (*cough* “Adolf Harper” *cough*) who just want power and authority to bully everyone else around, to exert their will over others, to dominate and control, to take away the rights and freedoms that others have worked so hard for that we, this generation, have inherited.

Let’s get back to this troubling notion of nationality and citizenship. I personally know and have known many people who migrated to Canada and ultimately wanted to stay here. To do so, they go through the process of “naturalization” and become “naturalized citizens”. (Read a bit about “naturalized citizen” versus “born citizen”.) These people come here to Canada because they want the protection of the CCRF (whether they know much about it, but because of the process of naturalization, I’m sure they must know at least the basic fundamental freedoms and rights they are being granted by becoming Canadian citizens) or they want to be here because “Hey, Canada is a great country!” (Well, for now it is, let’s hope this weekend isn’t a bad turning point for human rights in Canada; it’s bad, but I, like others, are worried it may get worse and are willing to fight to prevent that from happening.) Now, what’s irked me is that some of the people who fight to stay in Canada aren’t willing to stand up for the rights and freedoms that they were granted by becoming naturalized citizens. It is astounding to me because I would think that the mere fact that they wanted so desperately to stay here should mean that they should also want desperately to fight for the very same rights and freedoms that allowed them to come here in the first place. On the flip side, we also have some Canadians who were born here who just won’t stand up for these rights. It’s disheartening.

I shake my head and fists at these people in frustration (not anger). Don’t they get it yet? They have inherited a remarkable legacy, the CCRF and the UDHR, yet through their complacency they may lose the rights and freedoms granted to us by these laws all the meanwhile looking down on those willing to fight for these rights. The people fighting for these rights aren’t fighting for just theirs, but yours as well. They fight for my rights, as I will fight for theirs. We must, like so many others before us, fight for them. No, “we won’t shut the f*ck up!”

Now I owe who I am today because of activists and communities of people who wouldn’t shut the f#$! up no matter what the consequence for the last few hundred years.

…

However it’s not as if the struggle has ever really stopped. It hasn’t. The actions that have taken place around the G8/G20 from Indigenous people, women, people of colour, the poor, the working class, queer and trans people and disabled people have decades, if not centuries, of baggage that lead up to this point of where we are at with zero accountability from governments for the continuation of oppression.

…

I will not allow your work to be obliterated now or ever. Please know that I stand with you for speaking the truth from your heart which no government, police, or jail can silence.

I may not be a descendant of a First Nations group, but I am part of a “visible minority” in Canada, as I am a first generation Chinese-Canadian (my parents originally moved here around 1950). I grew up in the Trudeau era, and I am aware of the how hard it was to even get the CCRF entrenched in our constitution. I am aware of the history of the United Nations and the UDHR and why it was formed. I have lived in Canada my whole life feeling safe and secure knowing that we have these rights and freedoms. There is “No Security without Human Rights”. I grew up with these rights and freedoms thanks to the people who fought for them. Without that, where would I be today? For that, I have always been proud to live in Canada, and it was very sad to see those rights and freedoms suspended and trampled upon over the past weekend (the first arrest was on Friday). I hope that I can continue to say that I’m proud to live in Canada, even though right now all I can think is “Shame on the government!”, “Shame on the police!”.

I’ve also come across sentiments expressed by detractors that protesters and human rights activists are overly idealistic, they aren’t realistic and that things can’t be changed. To them, I say that even if the end, the outcome, is the same, it does not matter. What matters is the possibility of making the changes because we never know what can be possible. To give up like that is self-defeating. Where would we be today if others thought like that throughout history? I quote (from the TV show and comic “Angel”), “If nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do” Because if that’s all there is to life, then I’d rather “fight the good fight” than be complacent and watch it all go to hell. Someone on Twitter shared this quote from Samuel Adams, “It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people’s minds…”

My heart goes out to all the protesters this weekend and also those who rallied at the police headquarters on Monday night. I only wish that I was there with you in person instead of in spirit. For me, it was hard to not be there helping. I did the only thing that I could, and that was to write about what was happening, express my support for our right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and continue to hope that others will read, listen, and consider my words carefully.

After the widely condemned police brutality during the G20 Summit in Toronto, crowds gathered for a protest in front of Police Headquarters in Toronto on Monday, June 28, 2010. There, Naomi Klein tore into the Toronto Police for choosing to “play public relations” instead of doing their job. Filmed by Tor Sandberg.

For someone who isn’t a public speaker, she did an awesome job at Monday’s rally (certainly better than the police did theirs).

Some of my thoughts yesterday were:

Why is freedom of expression one of the more important human rights? Because without it we wouldn’t be able to fight for other human rights! That’s why it’s important to support peaceful protests/demonstrations.

For the record, I’m sure there are some good cops, but the safety of the people should be a priority above “following orders”. I hope many officers think about those priorities carefully in the aftermath of the G20 protests.

Additionally, I hope many officers think carefully about what Naomi Klein said at the rally on Monday. Their bosses got caught with their hands in the cookie jar. It’s time they owe up to that – admit what they did was wrong. It’s bad enough that the police broke the law – constitutional law and also on an international level, human rights law – but do they have to insult us with blatant lies and police propaganda? Do they really think the Canadian public is that blind?

At this point, I have to write about something that I have been thinking about for a while now, and that is “The world is watching”. I heard this in relation to the story of Neda, the Iranian girl who was shot last year during the protests against the Iranian elections. The phrase “the world is watching” originally comes from the song, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” by Gil Scott-Heron. While the song was a commentary on media and how television does not accurately portray real events (hence, “the revolution will not be televised… the revolution will be no re-run… the revolution will be live”), I think with the way media has changed since then, media has become more real than its old counterpart, television. Modern media for most people consist of their computers and mobile phones. We can communicate instantly online now and easily share media items such as photos, audio files, and videos not only from our laptops but also our mobile phones. Most mobile phones are designed with a camera. Anyone with a mobile phone can quickly take photos, record videos or audio files, and quickly upload. Quick uploading of photos can be done on sites such as Twitter along with short simple messages. Site like Tumblr or Plurk allow you to upload videos from your phone as well. Because of this, I’d say that yes, now the world really is watching. Over the past weekend, I kept up-to-date on events on rabble.ca’s Twitter account. (Originally, I was using the “g20” search on Twitter, but was annoyed at many of the ridiculous messages, I wanted real news about the events, so I went to rabbleca which apparently sent out many of their journalists to cover events.) So, yeah, here was real lifestreaming news. And anyone can do this now.

Lots of photos and video evidence came through this past weekend showing the police brutality and yes, the vandalism from a small group of people. But through that real footage, we can start to discern the truth of these events. “The world is watching”, do the police really think they can dish out their propaganda and we will believe them? Watch the next video.

The police were fully aware of the rampage and watched the black block from a distance at a number of locations. It wasn’t until they had dispersed into a crowd of peaceful protesters who thought that they were in a sanctioned area that the police took action beating innocent people with batons and spraying them with pepper spray.

Why was this allowed to happen? Police abandoned police cars at Bay and King when they didn’t need to, why? Was this allowed to happen so the Harper government could justify an outrageous security bill when there was no credible terrorist threat (according to CSIS)? Who led this group of vandals? Were they infiltrated by government paid provocateurs as was the case in Montebello where police with masks and rocks attacked their own riot squad?

Seems like everything is back to “normal”. However, according to Brent Patterson “many are still unjustly being detained and need to be released, and the city has yet to shed the police-state feeling that has smothered it these past few days.” (See “The aftermath of the summits”.)

I will be reading news on Google Reader. Noteworthy items will be found on my “shared items” page.

In this video you can clearly see the police arbitrarily grabbing people. I’d like to know since when it was criminal to be filming in public? It certainly isn’t violent. This video can also be found here.

And here’s a video of plainclothes cops getting in on the action against peaceful civilians. Some people have noted that someone dressed just like the Black Bloc runs through. Police don’t even stop him. Agent provocateur? Watch: 45 seconds into the video, he comes into the video on the right side.

A number of protesters were found wearing black clothing, though Ms. Mulle didn’t say how many. Protesters wearing black clothing, who dubbed themselves the Black Bloc, were believed to have caused the majority of damage at Saturday’s protests. Ms. Mulle also did not say how many weapons of opportunity have been found.

So, they arrested 70 who may have been the cause of vandalism. Does that really justify suspending civil liberties and trampling on human rights for the week? “Weapons of opportunity”? And the police only carry “tools”?

Reporters arrested, CCLA civil rights monitors arrested, over 500 people in detention, police unwilling to provide access to lawyers, cellphones seized, what is going on? Police will say that 4 to 7 police cars were set on fire and that there was much looting and spray painting, pop cans and rocks were thrown and more vandalism was planned at the fence or elsewhere. Is the policing proportionate to the threat?

…

It is still unclear why the people gathered at Queen’s Park at 5 pm were suddenly charged by riot police. It appears that the small group of black clad vandals was still out to spray paint and throw rocks in windows. Certainly, however, not all those at Queen’s Park fell into this category. Since then, over 500 people have been arrested and none are being released. It would appear that the presumption of innocence and the protection against arbitrary arrest had been suspended during the G20.

CCLA is concerned about the conditions of detention: people were being denied access to lawyers, they were unable to contact their families and were not promptly released.

They were taken into custody at about 6 p.m. on Saturday while attempting to photograph clashes between police and demonstrators. Both men were charged with obstruct peace officer and unlawful assembly. Neither photographer was accused of any violent act. Instead, they were “amongst violent people,” and allegedly failed to comply with a police order to disperse, a Crown attorney alleged in court on Sunday. The two men spent about 24 hours in custody before the Crown consented to their release on bail.

“Guilty by association” too? We have the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty under both the Canadian and the UDHR.

Today, protesters gather outside Toronto Police Headquarters. Their cause? Fighting against the illegal arrests and detention of hundreds of people this past weekend, a characteristic of a police state.

The G20 may be over and O. Reg. 233/10 may be revoked as of today, but the anger and hurt over what’s happened this past weekend isn’t going away any time soon.

Below you can see simple civilians and tourists trapped at Queen and Spadina. These were not protesters. Some of the tweets on my blog post just before this one indicate that some just wanted to go home after and were wanting to get arrested just to “get out of there”. This video was captured before the police charged the civilians. From Torontoist’s G20 Live: Sunday.

Here is the on-ground video of the police charge at the civilians (the same police charge that Meghann Millard captured on camera). Guess the police don’t like the anthem?

Okay, I think my retweeting finger has just about fallen off. I’ve barely gotten any sleep this weekend, but what has been happening – the trampling on civil liberties and human rights – is an important issue and needs to be addressed. For me, foregoing a little bit of sleep is nothing compared to what those who have been arrested have gone through.

Following are some of my retweets. My apologies, the tweets are again in reverse chronological order – I’m trying to get as much information out to my readers as possible and need to save the time it takes to reorder all the tweets. Many of the tweets below link to some great photo and video evidence of what went on this weekend (just copy and paste the urls provided into your browser):

I’ve already made my opinions clear in my earlier blogs on what the main issues are. I’ll leave my readers to sort through these tweets and decide on their own whether to believe the police propaganda or not. (Police propaganda? Read this article from the Toronto Star about the “Miami Model” – Porter: When police stick to phony script.)

I would like to highlight rabble.ca’s article, “What big media ignored: 25,000 peacefully demonstrate against G20 policies in Toronto”. The video is embedded below. Watch it. These are the protesters that the police were arresting. All they were doing was marching and voicing their opinions – rights guaranteed under the Canadian Charter. (Like others have said, “If you don’t like these rights, go live in China or Burma.” Maybe you’ll be singing a different tune later.) Watching the video, you can see that it’s the same as other protest marches we’ve had – the only difference here? Simply that they wanted to protest at the G20.

Having watched that video, I would also like to highlight another video. I ask my readers to consider carefully this question – how did we get from what is shown in the video above (let’s call it video A) to the video just below (video B)?

Is this freedom? Is this really want Canadians want? The people in the video B were also peaceful. They weren’t hurting anyone. They were singing “Oh, Canada!”, the national anthem, perhaps subconsciously thinking it would remind the cops that they are the people the cops are supposed to be protecting. (Thanks to Meghann Millard for sharing that video.)

Rabble.ca’s video (video A) above is a commentary on mainstream media, which I think is something people should really take into consideration. That being said, maybe mainstream media will start showing a different picture than the same cop car being burned, the same window being smashed, and get some real perspectives and interviews from… oh hey… what about the protesters? Lots of mainstream media types were also detained and/or arrested. Does CBC and CTV not stand up for their own reporters, photographers, and cameramen? They are risking their lives to get the sensational news their viewers all seem to want. I am heartened by the tweet from @IndiraBalki “CBC’s #CrossCountryCheckUp all the callers support the marchers, mad about the cost, basically all critical of the gov’t #g20 #canadiansknow”. Yes, thank you! About time. Get angry Canadians, you really should.

Amnesty International Canada (AI Canada) is calling for an independent review into the security measures used for the G20. Other people think a public inquiry would help. Amnesty International (Amnesty or AI) has done much to help in many countries facing much more severe human rights abuses than Canada has this week, so I would trust in an independent review. AI Canada was successful last year in getting the police to change their directives regarding the use of Tasers. I note that while the police may have been armed with Tasers, there does not appear to have been any Taser-related deaths (there were a total of 26 Taser-related deaths in Canada since April 2003). Why? Because the police are no longer allowed to use Tasers unless a person is physically hurting someone else, and also they are not allowed to aim Tasers directly at a person’s chest. This came about from Amnesty’s campaign a few years ago to stop the use of Tasers pending a proper review. An independent review needs to be done on the security measures used for the G20 this week as it is these security measures that are the heart of the problem – not the initial protests.

Additonally, because there are a lot of legal questions involving the passing of Ont. Reg. 233/10, the best way for all those arrested this week to get recourse for the actions of the police is to look into a Charter Challenge of their arrest. I reiterate that I think these arrests are illegal as I simply do not agree with the passing of Ont. Reg. 233/10. Because Canada has the Charter which gives us unalienable rights and fundamental freedoms (namely, the freedom of peaceful assembly), there is legal recourse to settle what’s happened this week. People, you should know your rights better. Get informed. Learn how to use the system currently in place to change what you don’t like.

Most importantly, keep talking, writing, blogging, tweeting – voice your concerns. This isn’t 50 years ago when no one will know. Already, there are stories from other countries covering what has happened this week. On that note, I’ll leave this New York Times article for my readers to read – “Police in Toronto Criticized for Treatment of Protesters, Many Peaceful”.

Brett Gundlock, a staff photographer for the Post, was tackled and taken away by several police officers in riot gear as they attempted to disperse protesters hanging around near the Ontario legislature.

Kier Gilmour, a photographer for Canwest News Service who witnessed the arrest, said the officers knocked Mr. Gundlock to the ground and then dragged him away. He had been standing with several other media photographers at the time.

“They slammed him down, onto his ass so to speak, then they dragged him back up and pulled him back to the police line,” Mr. Gilmour said.

Gilmour reported that the police were “being very aggressive in trying to disperse the remaining demonstrators near Queen’s Park” and that “The protesters were not doing anything violent or provocative at the time””

8 p.m. EST Sunday. Update: Jesse Rosenfeld has been released from custody, says family, and is doing well.

Many have been greatly concerned for journalist Jesse Rosenfeld. Since his assault was witnessed by Steve Paikin of the Agenda, a show on TVO, this story got a good amount of media attention. There was some concern that he may have been missing since he was beaten and no one had heard from him for a while. Early Sunday morning (around 1 or 2), rabble.ca tweeted asking how to get in touch with Paikin as journalist Jesse Rosenfeld was trying to get in touch with him. TVO responded that they made a call to Paikin. Paikin reported in the early afternoon on Sunday that they were still trying to get in touch with Rosenfeld. In the late afternoon, Paikin reported that they had found Rosenfeld. About an hour afterwards, Rosenfeld’s dad expressed his relief on hearing about his, but also concern over his son’s treatment. Below is a chronology of tweets:

rabbleca – Anyone know how to reach Steve Paikin @spaikin ? The reporter he saw assaulted is in jail, needs to reach him ASAPrabbleca – Thanks tweeps. A producer from TVO got in touch, will make the connection.AntoniaZ – RT @Kim1811 RT @spaikin: Guardian reporter Jesse Rosenfeld, assaulted by a police officer last night, is still missing. #g20 #g2reportspaikin – jesse rosenfeld, the guardian reporter who was assaulted by a police officer last night, is still missing. have spoken with his father.
spaikin – rosenfeld’s father says he went to the eastern av. holding tank last night but they had no info as to his son’s whereabouts.
spaikin – Jesse has only one kidney and is asthmatic. his dad fears for his health, particularly after the beating he took last night.
spaikin – just heard from julian falconer, civil rights lawyer. guardian reporter jesse rosenfeld has been found
spaikin – jesse rosenfeld’s dad: “We hear he is ok but upset that he has been treated the way he has”.

5:28 PM: An update regarding Jesse Rosenfeld, the reporter who had been filing stories for the Guardian and was detained last night: he is confirmed to be at the Eastern Avenue detention facility, and is expected to be released from there at about 11 p.m. tonight.
7:06 PM: Jesse Rosenfeld has just been released, a few hours earlier than anticipated.
9:34 PM: From OpenFile, a short interview with Jesse Rosenfeld, the Guardian freelancer who Steve Paikin says he saw assaulted by police officers last night. Rosenfeld was released earlier today.

Rosenfeld also said he wasn’t allowed to make a phone call until 4 p.m. today.

“I was in handcuffs from the point when I was arrested from 10:30 at night to 5:30 in the morning,” he said.

Rosenfeld spent the night in a holding cell that contained no benches, measured five by eight feet and housed six people.

“We all had to sleep on the floor,” he said.

Rosenfeld also stated that detainees were denied proper medical attention.

“A lot of people were beaten,” he said. “I was beaten for absolutely no reason.”

Rosenfeld applied for official media accreditation through the Guardian and planned to write several G20 pieces for the British paper about the summit. He said he thinks police may have targeted him as a result of a comment piece he wrote for the Guardian that spoke of the “apparent systemic racism within both the Mounties [the Royal Canadian Mounted Police] and local police forces.”

He also noted that his request for media accreditation had been denied, which meant he was unable to cover the official summit.

Now, we are hearing from the Toronto Community Mobilization Network (TCMN) that 23 activists were arrested during the night – some in cars, some had their doors kicked in by the police in the middle of the night.
The TCMN reported at its press conference that between 15 to 23 (some people are “missing”) were arrested last night: 10-13 CLAC (Convergence Lutte Anti-Capitaliste) members; 2 (NOII) No One Is Illegal and 6-8 SOAR (Southern Ontario Anarchist Resistance).

People were shocked last night by a city out of control but the Toronto police — without all the huge expenditures, extra police from across the country and sophisticated new toys — have kept the peace in riots with a lot more people and in hundreds of demonstrations much larger and often angry. I disagree with torching police cars and breaking windows and I have been debating these tactics for decades with people who think they accomplish something. But the bigger question here is why the police let it happen and make no mistake the police did let it happen. Why did the police let the city get out of control? And they did let it get out of control. The police knew exactly what would happen and how.

….

But it is the police that let the handful of people using Black Bloc tactics run wild and then used the burning police cars and violent images as a media campaign to convince the people of Toronto that the cost and the excessive police presence was necessary. They knew what would happen and they knew how it would happen. It is the police that bear the responsibility for what happened last night. They were responsible for keeping the peace and they failed to do it.

Finally! Amnesty International Canada (AI Canada) has detailed the same concerns I have and they are asking for an independent review of the security measures put in place this week.

Yet at a time when human rights need so very much to come to the fore, we have instead witnessed and experienced a curtailment of civil liberties. On the streets, protesters were faced with high fences, new weaponry, massive surveillance, and the intimidating impact of the overwhelming police presence. Combined with uncertainty and worry about unclear powers of arrest, this created an atmosphere in which countless individuals felt unable or too fearful to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and assembly and participate in rallies and other events which would have offered them an opportunity to express their views on a range of important national and international issues.

…

Lessons must be learned from these events. We call on the Canadian government and the government of the province of Ontario to cooperate in launching an independent review of the security measures that were put in place for the G8 and G20 Summits. The review should include opportunities for public input and the results should be released to the public. Among other issues, the review should consider:

• The impact of security measures, including decisions about the location and venues for the two summits, on the protection of human rights, including the freedoms of expression and assembly.

• The ways in which police operations and the use of legal provisions such as the Public Works Protection Act have impacted the rights of the many thousands of people living, working and operating businesses within and near the G20 security zone.

Lastly, for my readers here is a blog article from charmofthereal that provides more food for thought on the events of this week. Regarding the legality of what’s been happening, charmofthereal writes:

the passing of this law bypassed all democratic legislative procedure. this kind of secret legislation is directly contrary to the canadian “credo” of PEACE, ORDER, and GOOD GOVERNMENT: for laws to be effective and just THEY MUST BE PROMULGATED. otherwise, we have a populace that does not know if what they do is in violation of the state’s policy – or, in an even more terrifying Kafkaesque scenario: the state could, in fact, invent a law on the spot to simply trap someone they thought was a threat …

Here are the updates from my Twitter tonight, again in reverse chronological order. (Sorry, I only had time to reorder the other tweets further down in this article!) Again, please ignore the time stamps, I’ve been working on this blog since I’ve copied those in here. Some of my tweets are plurks (my Plurk profile is www.plurk.com/feyMorgaina):

I didn’t vote for Harper’s gov’t. Look what he’s done to Canada in just a few years. This isn’t the Canada I g… http://plurk.com/p/60pvlx
30 minutes ago via API
I’m getting really tired keeping up with news, but it’s important. I never thought I’d see this happen here. I… http://plurk.com/p/60puhj
32 minutes ago via API
It’s midnight here, been hearing helicopters all night. Heard sirens just now heading south again… http://plurk.com/p/60psph
35 minutes ago via API
RT @shaminis: We just drove by there was no one there RT @rabbleca: RT @jenniferhollett: All night dance party at the detention center,
44 minutes ago via web
RT @jenniferhollett: All night dance party at the detention center, starting at 12am. From http://g20.torontomobilize.org/schedule #cbcg20
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @krystalline_k: Protesters begging to get out; Corp media begging to be let in
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @AntoniaZ: Canadians have right to peaceful assembly and protest. So why are police rounding up citizens en masse tonight? #G20
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @g20mobilize: News crews, media crews, attempting to get down to the Novotel Hotel- police are blocking them from recording any activity or getting in.
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @andrewbrett: Just drove by extremely fortified Eastern detention centre where peaceful protesters will be held. #g20
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @kady: Okay, things seem to be back to — well, not exactly normal, but not supertense oh my heavens are we all going to be stampeded? #cbcg20
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @kady: Protesters passing now. Loud cheers and whistles. Line moving back towards MacDougall Lane. Not a window smasher in sight. #cbcg20
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @RaveenaAulakh: #G20 Just ducked behind a tree as cops on horseback charged at protesters on Queen and Ryerson.
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @spaikin: and shame on those that ordered peaceful protesters attacked and arrested. that is not consistent with democracy in toronto, G20 or no G20
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @rabbleca: @spaikin details assault on peaceful protestors at Novotel (where @redman0380 was detailed) and on Guardian journalist by police #g20report
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @g20mobilize: Bail hearings (if you are not released by police) start tomorrow at 2pm at 2201 Finch Court.
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @RaveenaAulakh: #G20 This ain’t ending tonight. Hundreds of cops in riot gear at Augusta and Queen. Protesters in alleys.
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @SimaSaharZerehi: City TV media is trying to get to Novotel but police lines are blocking them. (via @g20mobilize) #g20report #g20
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @IndiraBalki: after strong denials from Police #Bill_Blair confirms they launched tear_gas into crowds today #G20
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @farah_way: RT @redman0380: We’re all charged w breach of peace for peacefully protesting-press being kept out-this is what police state looks like #G20
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @katecallen: Outside now. Still small group completely surrounded by police, just sitting across from novotel hotel on esplanade.
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @spaikin: police on one side screamed at the crowd to leave one way. then police on the other side said leave the other way. there was no way out.
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @rabbleca: Steve Paikin from TVO the Agenda @spaikin is sharing his observations of police brutality from tonight. no cameras recorded assault. #g20
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @torontoist: He’s Jesse Rosenfeld, on assignment for the Guardian; he filed this story for them on Friday: http://bit.ly/bxR9ke #G20
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @torontoist: We’ve learned the name of the reporter at the Novotel Hotel who @spaikin says was “assaulted” http://bit.ly/cZhETf #G20
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @torontoist: Steve Paikin of TVO says a “peaceful” protest earlier included an unprovoked “assault” by police: folow @spaikin #G20
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @tamera: Holy shit. Read what @spaikin is tweeting abt his experience tonight. He’s a respected journo. He’s not tagging #G20 http://bit.ly/dnLMhQ
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @Ella_Henry: Today I saw riot police charge citizens (most not protesting) and literally run over an old man #g20
about 1 hour ago via web
Oh, good. My Twitter is back up. http://plurk.com/p/60pgrw
about 1 hour ago via API
RT @spaikin: i saw police brutality tonight. it was unnecessary. they asked me to leave the site or they would arrest me. i told them i was dong my job.
about 1 hour ago via web
RT @stephen_taylor: Steve Paikin has NOT been arrested. Simply escorted from scene.
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @CP24: Following arrests on the Esplanade right now – a camera has shot it and should have video shortly.
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @TTCnotices: Downtown subway/streetcar service closed for the evening. On Blue Night Network, 320 Yonge bus diverting, 301/306 not entering downtown core
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @torontoist: So the Eternal Flame of Hope being extinguished (http://bit.ly/aAdRIt) was an omen, after all. #G20
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @torontoist: A short report from Queen West, from a reporter who just left, and a reporter who’s still there: http://bit.ly/bYxg0q #G20
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: RT @redman0380: FB: Ben we are all being arrested en masse over 150 people for no reason #g20 front of novotel toronto goodbye for now.:.
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: RT @redman0380: We are being arrested 1-by-1, 200 ppl in front of novotel for no reason, trapped by riot cops #G20
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @postedtoronto: Two Post photographers arrested at G20 protest http://natpo.st/d0QSI4
about 2 hours ago via web
Man, they really are going to follow the people around all night. Just let the peaceful ones have their sit-in… http://plurk.com/p/60oe41
about 2 hours ago via API
RT @krystalline_k: Cops telling demonstrators to put hands over their head to get arrested peacefully at Novatell
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @shaminis: Hundreads surrounded at the peaceful sit-in being arrested. We are blocked out by police. #g20
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @torontoist: Arrests now happening at Cameron and Queen, reports @kelkord: cops shouting “disperse or you will be arrested.” #G20
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @SimaSaharZerehi: People protesting peacefully outside novotel are being dragged away by police #g20 #policestate http://twitpic.com/20b5bf (via @shaminis)
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @uriohau: RT @g20mobilize: Mass arrests near Novotel Hotel- Cops swarming peaceful protesters-200 riot cops on each side & people not allowed to…
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: How do we know who are agents provocateurs and who are black block? RT @AntoniaZ: Behind the Black Bloc mob http://bit.ly/9B9kOO
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @jonasnaimark: Riot Police are escalating on Queen St. and Spadina. Pushing peaceful people down the street, fights breaking out right now.
about 2 hours ago via web
@theonetruegigi May be some are, but there are many who just want to assemble peacefully for the night. Check out rabbleca tweets.
about 2 hours ago via web in reply to theonetruegigi
RT @lindathu_nguyen: We just alerted police of someone dropping off a bag on the street beside us and walking away. No one is checking it yet #g20
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @smarcopoulos: Toronto Police arresting people on mass near Novatel on Esplanade. Crowd includes journalist @spaikin and @buhfy
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @krystalline_k: 10 cop buses and at least 50 minivans
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @smarcopoulos: RT @buhfy: Ppl are shouting “let us go” and have hands up in the air. Cops pushing us tighter and tighter, protesters pushed against walls.
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: RT @redman0380: They are coming in arresting us one by one what the fuck #g20
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @drewcashmore: Three more buses have now arrived. #G20 protest. So far I count at least 10 buses of riot police
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @adammacisaac: Riot police moving in on peaceful marchers at Novotel #G20Report
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @TorontoStar: Reminder — subway still closed Yonge/University line and will stay closed until 2moro morning.
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @redman0380: Stuck between police riot gear lines at the Novotel as they advance
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @erynwheatley: RT: @MDCLegalUpdates: reports of a sit-in at the Novotel on Esplanade – people not being allowed to leave #g20report
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @spaikin: can’t tell what kinl of weapons are being pointed. can’t be live rounds, can it? new riot squad now here. why? this is peaceful.
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @jenniferhollett: VIDEO: I shot this. What it feels like to be stormed by riot police. http://tinyurl.com/277hoc7 #cbcg20
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @spaikin: “we’re going to sit here ’til someone from the g20 comes out & talks to us” says guy with megaphone
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @krystalline_k: Protesters congregate on Yonge
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @spaikin: crowd at yonge & front. phalanx of cops waiting on west side of yonge. crowd stopping.
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @krystalline_k: Please re-tweet. Do NOT travel anywhere alone tonight! Always travel in a group
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @spaikin: “we’re not radicalized youth. we’re just responding to what we’ve seen today”
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @DanielKitts: RT @MarkMcAllGlobal: Now at Bay & Wellington edge of #G20 fence – mult lines of police in riot gear forming http://tweetphoto.com/29379042
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @AmnestyNow: In lock-down at meeting space. Coffee House in progress as riot police are blocks away. Alain Roy just sang “Revolution” Fitting #g20
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @nealjennings: two separate caravans of bike cops have headed S on Yonge. WTF is going on down there? #g20
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @spaikin: middle aged UWO prof of social justice just told me “this is not consistent with our democracy. we’re just asking for our rights”
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @CP24: Reporters on the streets say more and more police arriving
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @stephen_taylor: Night falls as riot cops prepare for a long night in Toronto G20: http://yfrog.com/0d15349012j
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @buhfy: Protesters trapped and surrounded on all sides by cops/bldgs. Can’t get out. Cops fired rubber bullets at crowd. Ppl now chanting sit down.
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @Adam_Giambrone: TTC will issue press release in minutes that the subway and all transit south of the B/D line will remain closed tonight and reopen @ 9am.
about 2 hours ago via web
RT @globalnewsto: #ISU now confirms 130 people have been arrested as of 9:30pm EST. #G20
about 2 hours ago via web
@theonetruegigi …I am more concerned about the safety of the individual than the destruction of property. I feel bad for the jewelry store
about 2 hours ago via web in reply to theonetruegigi
@theonetruegigi For the record, I don’t particularly endorse people smashing things and I am totally against violent protesters, but…
about 2 hours ago via web in reply to theonetruegigi
@theonetruegigi Yeah, saw that. Was just referring to any peaceful people coming down here to march.
about 3 hours ago via web in reply to theonetruegigi
@theonetruegigi The streets do belong to all Canadians, the police are taking over. Any Canadian coming out to help out gets kudos from me.
about 3 hours ago via web in reply to theonetruegigi
@NatashaFatah Go for the big corps, guys! Not the small-time businesses. Not every business is corrupt and “bad”.
about 3 hours ago via web in reply to NatashaFatah
RT @NatashaFatah: Friend’s report: Gerrard+Yonge small jewelery store completely smashed up. The poor old man/owner looked completely broken. #cbcg20 #g20
about 3 hours ago via web
Many people highly suspect agent provocateurs were used today. http://plurk.com/p/60nqbx
about 3 hours ago via API
is starting to think that the police are going to chase the people around in circles downtown all night. http://plurk.com/p/60nq12
about 3 hours ago via API
RT @spaikin: ppl standing around with hands in air. this was peaceful. it won’t be now. unprovoked attack by police
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @spaikin: uh oh… cops firing on ppl… can’t be real bulletrs crowd panicking
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @CP24: Protesters have reached the fence. Huge police presence.
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @craigkielburger: Some protesters reach the fence. Singing ‘O Canada’ and raising peace signs. http://ow.ly/i/2hlF
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @stephen_taylor: Crowds face the police at the fence as night falls. #G20 http://yfrog.com/4j2wdj
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @davidakin: Toronto’s “hospital row” still receiving emergency patients, CP24 reports. #G20
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @DanielKitts: Chief Blair asked if police have plans re: protest block party at Church & Wellesley @ 11 pm. Blair: Yes. -Can you elaborate? – No. #g20
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @DanielKitts: Chief Blair being asked to comment on an incident where woman was allegedly almost trampled to death by police horse. Blair has no info.
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @g20updates: We have reports that two National Post photographers Brett Gundlock and Colin O’Connor have been detained by police. #G20
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @NoLore: Blair says no rubber bullets. Global reporter says that he has some bullets. Blair claims that there were no rubber bullets. #g20
about 3 hours ago via web
@g20updates Bill Blair “…limits to free speech” I disagree. Free speech isn’t violence. It’s violence that infringes the rights of others.
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @g20updates: Bill Blair: There are limits to free speech and they end when they infringe on the rights of others. #g20
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: Protestors are at yonge and dundas heading south for the fence #g20report
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @NoLore: Bill Blair claims that we were black block at QP in press conference, this justifies the violence today. That’s a lie. #g20
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @stephen_taylor: TO Police chief says tear gas has been used, but rubber bullets have NOT been used.
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: Yup, all a set up. Rt @pmoharper #G20 police removed bike racks, trees, etc. but left their police cars (cont) http://tl.gd/25df6s
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @g20updates: RT @kimfox: Protester asks police offer how he’s doing. Officer confesses he doesn’t want to be here and misses family. Very human exchange
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @lifeonqueen: Bill Blair: So far 75 arrested. Arrests will continue. #g20
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: Police tactic worked. Scared the living bejeebers out of people onto Bloor, where they dispersed. Cops have now retreated. @yeeguan
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: RT @yeeguan: They’re shooting at us. Guy got shot in the knee. #G20 @rabbleca http://myloc.me/8sxah
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: RT @yeeguan: Those aren’t blanks. Two guys shot with rubber bullets. @rabbleca #G20 http://myloc.me/8sxjR
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: RT @jesrose: RT @yeeguan: This is what a rubber bullet wound looks like. #G20 @rabbleca http://tweetphoto.com/29365732
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: RT @krystalline_k: Horse cops squish protesters against the wall, one guy gets trampled.
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: @TorontoPolice really? Than whose? It sure looked like a police strategy
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: @TorontoPolice why did you move the line from the fence to Toronto’s busiest commercial streets? #g20
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: Mounted cops are chasing us onto Bloor. #G20 @yeeguan http://myloc.me/8sz4G
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @RebeccaRose84: Media keep repeating that orig peaceful protesters have gone home and that it’s only violent protesters left. This is not true. #g20report
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @nealjennings: protest coming N to Bloor just W of Bedford. #g20. bloor street taken over
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @stephen_taylor: I’ve confirmed that CTV producer Farzad Fatholahzad has been arrested by police at G20 protest in Toronto
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: Protesters separated between Hoskins and Devonshire. Mounted cops chase after Hoskins. @yeeguan #G20 http://tweetphoto.com/29364078
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @TorontoStar: Rubber bullets fired at Queen’s Park hitting at least one person. #g20
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @RebeccaRose84: CTV now showing their producer being taken away by cops in hand cuffs. #g20report #G20
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: Advancing police lines on Harbord. #G20 @yeeguan http://tweetphoto.com/29363174
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @lindathu_nguyen: Chief Blair refuses to answer questions about Queen’s Park evacuation. Wouldn’t answer any questions from @torontoist.
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @torontoist: RT @CP24: Police Chief Bill Blair says 75 people apprehended this evening. #G20
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: Protesters swear to take Bloor. Please, no more injuries. @yeeguan #G20 http://myloc.me/8sxzP
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @Ella_Henry: Police officer just told me if he had a choice he wouldn’t be at the #g20 enforcing this police state
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: Just got pushed north. Two shots (rubber bullets?) Fired. No injuries. @yeeguan #G20 http://myloc.me/8sx2s
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @krystalline_k: Sound cannon driving down Queen
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: Aggressive police push north on Queen’s Park. Pause… @yeeguan #G20 http://tweetphoto.com/29359568
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @MDCLegalUpdates: legal observers calling in from west side of queen’s park to report police charging at protesters #g20report
about 3 hours ago via web
RT @NoLore: “The whole world is watching” we’re chanting. The riot cops keep charging. #G20
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @kady: These ones are moving quicker — and there’s *another* herd moving down now. Everyone here puzzled. http://twitpic.com/209mtd
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @kady: No idea why this sudden movement — but the truncheons are shield-smashing in unison. #cbcg20 http://twitpic.com/209m6b
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: Trying to get to Queen’s Park west. Fail. Cops have sealed the entire place. @yeeguan #G20 http://myloc.me/8svY8
about 4 hours ago via web
shares http://tinyurl.com/2dd6kuo (My commentary on the video of the illegal search) http://plurk.com/p/60n5fz
about 4 hours ago via API
shares http://tinyurl.com/29fzcmu (G20 Updates from Twitter – Constitutional and Human Rights Being Violated)… http://plurk.com/p/60n4ww
about 4 hours ago via API
Video: Just watched this video involving illegal detention, illegal search, and illegal seizure (they took… http://tumblr.com/x3ic8nqm8
about 4 hours ago via Tumblr
shares http://tinyurl.com/2czmrwr (G20 Community Day of Action illegal search) http://plurk.com/p/60mwqw
about 4 hours ago via API
RT @rabbleca: Video of illegal search at #G20 has babblers up in arms: “This is what a police state looks like.” http://bit.ly/df8LWX
about 4 hours ago via web
@CP24 Please, please no one hurt the Tea Shop!!! Good people work there.
about 4 hours ago via web
@CP24 Re: Protests now at Yonge & Bloor. Was just there getting food. Good thing I went when I did or no dinner for me.
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @CP24: G20 Protest heads south on Yonge from Bloor St.
about 4 hours ago via web
@rabbleca Mine too. I haven’t retweeted this much ever.
about 4 hours ago via web
Hey protesters! Don’t mess with the Tea Shop!!! Decent peaceful people there. I love my bubble tea! http://plurk.com/p/60mrja
about 4 hours ago via API
RT @rabbleca: @jesrose Retweeting finger is about to fall off (it’s been hours!), but merci beaucoup!
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @spaikin: police have cordoned off financial district. one cop yells “we’re just trying to get to starbucks here.”
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @TorontoStar: Police making arrests in downtown. Pix by @rogergillespie http://twitpic.com/209iqh
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @spaikin: cops creating new line on king. moving everyone out east towards yonge st. cops in riot gear with helmets
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @druojajay: now taking odds: will the cbc interview a single protester before the day is done? #g20 #g20report
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @craigkielburger: Police pushing people back. People caught with pepper spray in eyes. Young and old. #G20 http://ow.ly/i/2hfU
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @krystalline_k: Cops are running protesters down like animals, throwing them to the ground
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: Anyone identify the agents provocateurs in the crowds? @anndouglas: CBC reporting less than 100 violent (cont) http://tl.gd/25cktm
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @torontoist: At Queen’s Park, cops hit protesters with batons. One of our reporters got hit, and has a bruise: http://bit.ly/9DbTdD #G20
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @JProskowGlobal: Police clearing everyone out of qiueens park north, the designated free speech zone
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @AntoniaZ: RT @KateMilberry Police now pushing people out of designated protest area. Um, that’s the only place they are “allowed” #g20 #g20report
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @stephen_taylor: Picture of Black Bloc vs. police vehicle: http://twitpic.com/209gpd G20
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: Maaaajor police buildup on University puts cop/protester ratio at about 10:1. @yeeguan #G20 http://myloc.me/8sv0C
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @kady: A quick scan thru the windows suggests every one of these white vans is full of police #cbcg20 http://twitpic.com/209gy9
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @stephen_taylor: Police arrest three at John/Wellington: http://twitpic.com/209bkj
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @CP24: Police moving in on demonstrators at Queen’s Park and have taken at least one person into custody. #G20
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: “You’re sexy, you’re cute. Take off your riot suit!” Protesters chant @ riot cops #g20 /v @KateMilberry @knussbaum @CBCReporters
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @g20updates: Katherine Laidlaw on King St.: Police making human perimeter from Simcoe to University on King St. Looks like they’re preparing for arrivals
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @kady: Sizeable security convoy – plus CBC truck – heading up University. As am I! #cbcg20 http://twitpic.com/209e09
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @krystalline_k: Cops reported to be charging through crowd of protesters trapped at Queen’s Park
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: Riot cops banging shields adding to University phalanx. @yeeguan #G20 http://tweetphoto.com/29352874
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @NoLore: Horses circling the park, charging the crowd. #g20 sry the phots not great, I was running away. http://twitpic.com/209e7l
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: RT @NoLore: Riot cops are charging the crowds. #g20
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @nealjennings: someone is launching something at the crowd which is periodically bolting. no idea what’s actually going on but stampede may b imminent #g20
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @jenhassum: Now safe eating supper. Hearing the news, its so bizare that storefronts were smashed. On the march I never saw it happen once. #G20
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @lex_is: Plugged back in, @justincgio and I are safe but injured, uploading photos and video now #g20report
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @CP24: Tactical unit now moving into area blocked off by police, reporter live inside. #G20
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @larrylarry: Confirmed: TTC shuttles on Parliament and Bathurst are FREE and runs every five minutes #ttcu #g20
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @CP24: Police blocking in protesters on Queen St W, moving in from both sides
about 4 hours ago via web
RT @rabbleca: RT @Spacing: Spacing told by medic near Queen’s Park rubber bullets/tear gas have been used on protesters, and (cont) http://tl.gd/25cd52
about 4 hours ago via web
I don’t think police should have charged the peaceful protesters at Queen’s Park – some of them had children w… http://plurk.com/p/60mfz5
about 5 hours ago via API
One guy commented to another that he got turned back from Queen’s Park. He wanted to get some photos on what w… http://plurk.com/p/60mfrr
about 5 hours ago via API
Restaurants still open at Yonge & Bloor. Just got takeout from there. Some people are walking south still. http://plurk.com/p/60mff8

The latest concern tonight is the assault of Jesse Rosenfeld, a journalist working for the Guardian. He wrote yesterday’s article, “Rejecting G20’s consensus of the few”. His assault was witnessed by Steve Paiken from The Agenda, a show on TVO. Both Steve Paiken and Jesse Rosenfeld were following the peaceful protesters who were later arrested in front of Novotel after being pinned in by police. Some of my retweets were from the protesters in front of Novotel. Below is an excerpt of some of Paikin’s tweets (some of which I retweeted), formatted nicely courtesy of Torontoist (linked above):

11:59 PM: Steve Paikin, host of The Agenda on TVO, was at the demonstration at the Esplanade earlier, and says he witnessed a “totally unneccessary” assault by police, on a reporter claiming to be with The Guardian. Right now he is tweeting @spaikin. Some of those tweets:

“i saw police brutality tonight. it was unnecessary. they asked me to leave the site or they would arrest me. i told them i was dong my job. • they repeated they would arrest me if i didn’t leave. as i was escorted away from the demonstration, i saw two officers hold a journalist. • the journalist identified himself as working for “the guardian.” he talked too much and pissed the police off. two officers held him…. • a third punched him in the stomach. totally unnecessary. the man collapsed. then the third officer drove his elbow into the man’s back. • no cameras recorded the assault. and it was an assault. • the officer who escorted me away from the demo said, “yeah, that shouldn’t have happened.” he is correct. there was no cause for it.
i can appreciate that the police were on edge today, after seeing four or five of their cruisers burned. but why such overreaction tonight? • the demonstration on the esplanade was peaceful. it was like an old sit in. no one was aggressive. and yet riot squad officers moved in. • police on one side screamed at the crowd to leave one way. then police on the other side said leave the other way. there was no way out. • so the police just started arresting people. i stress, this was a peaceful, middle class, diverse crowd. no anarchists • literally more than 100 officers with guns pointing at the crowd. rubber bullets and smoke bombs ready to be fired. rubber bullets fired • i was “escorted” away by police so couldn’t see how many arrested, but it must have been dozens.”

we must make a distinction between the “thugs” who broke store windows and torched cop cars and the very reasonable citizens who • .just wanted to remind the authorities that the freedom to speak and assemble shouldn’t disappear because world leaders come to town.

Individual tweets within the space of a paragraph above are demarcated with a • symbol. DT

i have lived in toronto for 32 years. have never seen a day like this. shame on the vandals. ~ and shame on those that ordered peaceful protesters attacked and arrested. that is not consistent with democracy in toronto, G20 or no G20 ~ 2. Who specifically gave the order to clear the street? was that decision made on site or by a higher authority? ~ 3. Does the tor police svc have any evidence of dangerous acts from those demonstrators that forced them to act that way, at that time? ~ if any journos are talking to the police chief on sunday, those would be questions i’d like answered. ok, that’s it. signing off tonight.”

Yes, shame on the vandals, they didn’t need to do this tonight (and yes, there is the question of agent provocateurs being used) and force the police to take more violent action since we already know that Police Chief Blair wanted to arrest people for vandalism. That being said, I am more concerned with the safety of the people than with the destruction of property (windows can be replaced, people can’t nor can they recover that easily from some injuries – I’ve had injuries, though not from protest rallies) so a bigger shame on those that ordered the peaceful protesters attacked and arrested. I have the same questions as Paikin. I also want to know why the Jesse Rosenfeld was assaulted by police. Was it just random dumb luck? He got the cruel ones? Even if he “talked too much” as per Paikin tweets, he didn’t deserve to be beaten. He also clearly identified himself as a journalist for the Guardian. This assault is indeed a human rights violation. It is police brutality. I’d like to know who was in charge of those officers.

If you scroll back through Paikin’s tweets, you can see that the group of protesters he followed tonight were peaceful, at least the whole time he was with them. It appears too that they were the peaceful group of protesters from Queen’s Park. Paikin’s earlier tweets:

dundas square perfectly fine. very few ppl ~ action at yonge & queen. police line stopping traffic along queen. ~ best news for police: just started raining ~ one in crowd says “come join us and march for democracy. they’ve drummed us out of queen’s park” ~ crowd chanting “whose street? our street!” moving west on richmond ~ these are not “thugs” very middle class looking crowd. peaceful march. so far. moving south on bay ~ new chant: this is what democracy looks like” ~ i’m in the thick of it. heading down bay to the fin dist. no cops in site ~ looks like a few thousand ppl. now marching on king, west to TD Ctr. ~ the good old standby: “the ppl, united, will never be defeated” ~ well, here we go. huge phalanx of cops ahead. ~ new chant: “peaceful protest!”
we’re on wellington st. cops against the fence on south side. crowd on north side, now singing o canada ~ gotta be 100 police here. let’s hope crowd stays on its side of street ~ police moving one of their lines west. they just left. now crowd has moved into wellington st ~ very wise move by police to leave. huge crowd is chanting but the immediate provocation is gone ~ huge fence is still peotecting royal bank bldg. crowd doesn’t seem to know what to do now that the cops have left ~ oh come on… cope are returning. a “whack ’em and stack ’em” line coming east on wellington. ~ crowd leaving. cops stopping. no confrontation thankfully ~ back in TD courtyard. lots of police here. “police go home” is the chant ~ crowd leaving TD Centre. they want to chant but don’t apparently want trouble. ~ crowd back on king st. they don’t know where to go. there’s no ringleader out here
uh oh… cops firing on ppl… can’t be real bulletrs crowd panicking ~ everyone chanting peaceful protest. cops moving on crowd. guns poised. ~ ppl standing around with hands in air. this was peaceful. it won’t be now. unprovoked attack by police ~ crowd sitting down on king st in front of 1st cdn place. still chanting “peaceful protest” ~ phalanx of cops standing 20 metres away, guns pointed. i heard some kind of projectile whiz past me. obviously not bullets but unnecessary ~ this is inexplicable. the crowd was ready to disperse, then the police moved on them and fired some kind of projectiles. ~ crowd is up & moving east. one police line on the other side must have receded
middle aged UWO prof of social justice just told me “this is not consistent with our democracy. we’re just asking for our rights” ~ what? are they habs’ fans? they’re chanting “olay olay olay olay” ~ this seems very organic and spontaneous. no signs. no “cause” other than the right to assemble ~ police line on yonge north of king. police screaming “get back”. ppl are ~ crowd stalled at king & victoria. don’t knowbwhat to do.
“we’re not radicalized youth. we’re just responding to what we’ve seen today” ~ crowd at yonge & front. phalanx of cops waiting on west side of yonge. crowd stopping. ~ crowd haa stopped and is seated on east side of yonge at front. ~ “we’re going to sit here ’til someone from the g20 comes out & talks to us” says guy with megaphone ~ have never seen this before. cpl thousand ppl sitting in the street, cops just watching. still a peaceful protest ~ “we don’t want violence. if we do that, we’re stooping down to their level”
now this is bizarre. a guy who just got out of jail in texas is talking to me about the chinese devaluing their $ ~ pouring rain now. everyone getting wet. no umbrellas out here ~ police phalanx, to its credit, just holding the line, not moving on crowd. ~ moving again. down yonge st, south of front ~ hey david akin, crowd is passing your hotel on the esplanade ~ hotel guests waving out their windows. draws huge cheers ~ is that you waving akin? someome is. getting a helluva cheer
here come the cops again. weapons drawn. ppl sitting again. middle of esplanade ~ police in full riot gear moving closer. ppl still sitting in middle of street ~ almost 20 cops. new chant: “the whole world is watching.” coyne will not appreciate unoriginality ~ crowd surrounded. cops on both sides now ~ can’t tell what kinl of weapons are being pointed. can’t be live rounds, can it? new riot squad now here. why? this is peaceful. ~ suddenly 20 cops is now 100
don’t mind saying it…this is scary. one dumb person on either side & this could get dangerous. ~ the police should be smart & do nothing. this is not a violent crowd. they keep insisting it’s a peaceful protest ~ cops tightening their perimeter. why? they are forcing something they dont need to force ~ who is ordering these police to tighten the noose? it’s unnecessary. evwryone’s sitting. now tthety’ret motvintt into the crowd ~ cops moving closer why? ~ arresin people ~ mny arress now. inexplicable ppl say “we wan o go home cops overwhelming crowd ~ weapons are rubber bulles ~ i. gone police escor me away

After that Paikin got to a computer and proceeded to describe his night starting with “i saw police brutality tonight. it was unnecessary.” as quoted earlier.

Police brutality is a human rights violation. They did not need to break up a peaceful assembly of people, something that is a fundamental freedom according to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and also a human right given by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. If we stand idly by this time and not speak up against these human rights violations, even for just one weekend, it is tacit acceptance that it is okay when it isn’t. There are no exceptions to Charter and human rights. Everyone who is peaceful and non-violent retains these rights. Contrary to mainstream media, the protesters who were arrested at Novotel were not what some people may think as Paikin tweeted above, “these are not “thugs” very middle class looking crowd” and also quoted, “we’re not radicalized youth. we’re just responding to what we’ve seen today” There was also a university professor of social justice out marching tonight (UWO is University of Western Ontario).

I’m irked by the lack of understanding some (arguably many) people have regarding constitutional and human rights issues. Everyone has these rights. One of them is freedom of expression, another is freedom of peaceful assembly. Just because some people exercise these rights in a different manner than you might want to (or perhaps not at all) doesn’t mean these rights shouldn’t exist. Nor can you insist on having these rights and hypocritically ask to take away these rights from others simply because you don’t agree with their opinions or methods. What do I mean by this? First, you have a group of people who wish to make their opinions heard by marching or demonstrating in a public place. This group is exercising their right to freedom of expression and also the right to freedom of peaceful assembly. These rights should not be taken away simply because you may disagree with their opinion or disagree with the action of gathering in a large group in order to express opinions. For example, I don’t agree with the opinions of PETA, but I would still argue for their right to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly. I particularly find it hypocritical for some people to criticize others for voicing their opinions when the people criticizing are in fact exercising their right to freedom of expression as well. Frankly, if you do not want to have these human rights for everyone, then you don’t deserve to live here where these rights are guaranteed by our Canadian Charter. I am very irked by people blaming the protesters for what’s been happening when not all protesters were vandals or violent (as can be seen in the tweets above), and police made matters worse by asking for Ont. Reg 233/10 to be passed giving them more power and authority this week when they frankly didn’t need them to do their job. I still stand by my opinion that making a temporary regulation to invoke the provisions given in the Public Works Protection Act, thereby giving the police too much authority and power over civilians, is unconstitutional.

…this nasty piece of handiwork from Dalton McGuilty is more reminiscent of the South African “pass laws”, where Blacks (unlike Whites) could be arrested for failing to show a government-issued internal passport on demand. Or the World War Two movie scenes where the Gestapo routinely asks citizens for ID, and arrests them because “your papers are not in order”.

Or the stop-and-frisk laws that the New York City cops used last year to harrass and racially profile 575,304 people and compile a huge database of information based on those searches.

These are all characteristics of a police state. And they are simply the logical extension of the airport security systems now firmly in place, which the sheeple have all agreed are necessary for their security.

What is amazing is that many people who fancy themselves “liberal” or “progressive” see no problem with these laws, and can’t understand why anyone would oppose the ongoing government project to force everyone to carry a national identity card and produce it on demand. By the time they “get it” it will be too late. [Cass’ note: Emphasis and bolding added.]

I agree with M. Spector above when he says “By the time they ‘get it’ it will be too late.” That is my fear. That it will take a Neda Agha-Soltan (killed in Iran last year) or a Khalid Said (recently beaten to death by Egyptian police) for people to wake up. But, by then we could be already be living in a police state under tyrannical rule too.

But wait, this is a democratic society some say. The majority of people here don’t agree with the protests. This was a tweet I suppose was replying to my earlier comment that things may have been calming down in the downtown core, “good! The real residents of Toronto are tired of this bullshit. Ones still there do NOT have the support of the Gen. Pop.” There are a few problems with this comment that I have to shake my head at (and also, laugh at, this person clearly has not been reading my other tweets to understand what my opinions really are and what my concerns are). First of all, the streets of Toronto do not belong to just the residents of Toronto, but to all Canadians (also, I disagree with the ideas of borders since we are all “citizens” of the entire world and the world “belongs” to everyone). Secondly, if by “Gen. Pop.” this person means the majority of people, ever hear of the phrase “tyranny of the majority”? I know I mentioned it in a blog article a while ago in conjunction with a little discussion about intelligence quotient tests and if they are useful or not. Democratic societies can be considered to operate based on “tyranny of the majority” because there may be a small percentage of the population who do not agree with majority. In my previous article discussing I.Q., I point out why this may be. It’s simply because the most intelligent people in a society will never be the majority. Statistically, the percentage of people with an I.Q. above 130 is quite small – 2.23% according to the graph on that blog. Thus, the majority opinion will often be the least… sorry, meant to say… a less intelligent one and decisions based on that will not be the most intelligent decisions. The opinion of the “Gen. Pop” today regarding these protests and what has occurred in response to the human rights violations frankly shows the lack of understanding the majority of people have regarding what human rights really are about and why Canada has the Charter. It’s what makes Canada fundamentally different from places like the U.S.

But hey, this is a democratic society and I have to obey by the majority because that is the law of the land here. Well, I shall direct you to this little commentary on the G20 and democracy, “No, THIS is Democracy!”

It is nearing early morning now and this blogger needs some sleep. I sign off with another article for my readers, “Behind the Black Bloc mob”.